Ahn Hyo-seop of 'KPop Demon Hunters' to open new year on ‘The Tonight Show’
Ahn Hyo-seop / Xportsnews
Korean actor Ahn Hyo-seop is set to begin 2026 on one of the biggest stages in American television, as he will appear on NBC’s “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” marking what industry observers see as a symbolic milestone in his growing global influence.
The program, widely regarded as one of the most influential late-night talk shows in the United States, has featured world-renowned figures across entertainment, politics and sports. Ahn’s invitation is being viewed as a sign that his international presence has expanded far beyond K-drama fandom.
Ahn has spent the past year juggling an intense slate of projects, including the Netflix film “KPop Demon Hunters,” the feature film “Omniscient Reader,” and filming for the upcoming SBS drama “Sold Out Again Today.”
“KPop Demon Hunters,” in which Ahn voiced the lead character Jinu, became an unexpected breakout hit. The animated film surpassed 500 million global views within 27 weeks of its release and has been listed among Netflix’s most-watched original films. The title also earned major critical recognition, including the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Animated Feature, as well as nominations across three Golden Globe categories and two Critics Choice categories.
Ahn Hyo-seop / Xportsnews
The soundtrack has received five Grammy nominations and achieved double-platinum certification. Critics say Ahn’s performance in the film resonated because he did more than provide voice-over; he delivered emotional depth and helped anchor the film’s narrative identity.
Interest in the actor has continued to grow alongside the staggered international rollout of “Omniscient Reader,” which has been sold to 113 countries. Despite largely limiting his overseas promotion to remote interviews with outlets such as CBS News and Time magazine, global media interest has persisted, leading to calls for in-person appearances.
His first major step in that direction will be “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” where he is expected to greet international audiences ahead of a wider promotional schedule that also includes year-end messages through major U.S. broadcasters such as CNN. Industry watchers note that this marks a sustained outreach effort rather than a one-off appearance.
Ahn’s momentum is set to carry into 2026, when he will return to television in the SBS drama “Sold Out Again Today.”
Ahn Hyo-seop’s episode of “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” will air on Jan. 12 at 11:35 p.m. (local time) on NBC and will be available for streaming the following day on Peacock.
This article from Xportsnews is adapted by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.